The Ultimate Guide to Fast-Tracking and Crashing in Project Management
Are you a project manager facing a looming deadline with no clear way to meet it? Do you need to speed up delivery without compromising quality? Look no further. This guide will walk you through two powerful techniques to get your project back on track: fast-tracking and crashing.
Fast-Tracking: Overlapping Activities for Speed
Fast-tracking involves overlapping activities that would normally be completed in sequence. This technique can significantly reduce project duration, but it also increases risk and complexity. Imagine building a car engine while the body is still being designed – it’s a delicate balancing act.
Pros and Cons of Fast-Tracking
Pros:
- Shorter project duration
- Improved efficiency
- Increased flexibility
Cons:
- Increased risk
- Decreased quality
- Increased complexity
- Increased costs
Crashing: Adding Resources for Speed
Crashing is a technique used to reduce the duration of the critical path by adding more resources. By throwing more resources at a problem, you can complete tasks quicker, but this approach can be expensive and may lead to decreased morale and productivity.
When to Fast-Track or Crash a Project
Consider fast-tracking or crashing when:
- A delivery deadline is approaching, and there’s a risk of missing it
- There’s a high level of uncertainty, and quick results are needed
- You need to reduce delivery duration without changing the scope
- You need to maintain or improve quality while reducing duration
Avoid fast-tracking or crashing when:
- There’s a high level of risk associated with delivery
- The budget is already tight, and additional resources can’t be added
- There’s not a clear understanding of interdependencies between tasks
- You’re experiencing delivery delays due to other reasons
A Step-by-Step Guide to Fast-Tracking a Project
- Identify the Critical Path: Determine the sequence of activities that need to be completed on time to complete the entire initiative.
- Identify Activities for Fast-Tracking: Identify activities that can be done simultaneously to speed up delivery without negatively impacting it.
- Evaluate Risks and Benefits: Create a pros and cons list and evaluate the potential impact on the project schedule, cost, quality, and risk.
- Develop a Fast-Tracking Plan: Visualize the before and after, and communicate the plan with stakeholders and delivery teams.
- Implement the Fast-Tracking Plan: Execute the plan, allocate necessary resources, and manage increased complexity.
- Monitor and Control: Monitor progress, take corrective action if necessary, and ensure the project stays on track.
Key Takeaways
Neither fast-tracking nor crashing is a silver bullet. Before using either technique, validate if they’re the right approach for your project. Follow a structured process, monitor impact, and take corrective action when needed. With careful planning and execution, you can get your project back on track and deliver timely results.